question about installation of 20 amp wall plug

The receptacle has nothing to do with how much current is drawn, what is plugged into the receptacle does.
07-09-09: Tpreaves

True but the face plate of the receptacle configuration determines what plug can be connected to it.

The max continuous load that a NEMA 5-15P can carry by NEC code is 12 amps.

For a NEMA 5-20P plug it is 16 amps.

NEC says for a 120V 15 amp branch circuit the receptacle must be a 15 amp rated receptacle. Reason being so a piece of equipment with a 20 plug cannot be plugged into it.

As I said in my ealier post, the 20 amp recept did not cause the problem.

http://www.frentzandsons.com/Hardware%20References/plugandreceptacleconfiguratio.htm

Please clarify ... the PS Audio Ports are rated for both 15amp and 20amp I'm told. Can they be installed in a 15amp dedicated line?
07-09-09: Taylor514

The receptacle will accept a NEMA 5-15P or 5-20P amp plug.

Technically by code a 5-20R receptacle cannot be installed on a 120V 15 amp branch circuit.

Will it cause any kind of a fired hazard if you use one for your audio equipment? No..... If you move just remember to pull the recept and replace it with a 15 amp recept so the next guy does not see the 20 amp recept and think he has a 20 amp branch circuit available.

http://www.cryo-parts.com/ps_audio_power_port.html
.

Jim,

Is this basically what you're saying: the NEC code is written to prevent someone from unknowingly seeing the 20 Amp recepticle and believing that it is hooked up to a 20 Amp circuit?

Chuck

Chuck -- No, the main purpose of that part of the code is to prevent a high-current device, fitted with a 20 amp plug, from being plugged into a 15 amp outlet (that has 15 amp wiring). 20 amp plugs have a horizontal prong which will not allow them to be inserted into a 15 amp receptacle (which just has two parallel vertical slots, plus the safety ground contact).

Regards,
-- Al

Chuck,

Al pretty much hit the nail on the head with his answer. Though just to add to Al's response the overcurrent device, breaker, determines the branch circuit size. Even if the wire size is #12 but the breaker is a 15 amp then a 15 recept would have to be used.